home-groWn touriSt...
1. Driving Creek Railway and Potteries
New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway
travels through regenerating native forest with pottery
sculptures lining the track. Enjoy a 1 hour return trip
on this scenic narrow gauge mountain railway. Travel
through regenerating and replanted native kauri forest
where unique pottery sculptures line the track. The train
includes 2 spirals, 3 short tunnels, 5 reversing
points and several large viaducts as it climbs
up the hill to the Eyefull Tower. At the top there
are panoramic views out over the island-studded
Hauraki Gulf. Before your return trip your driver will
explain about the man who originally built the railway
to bring clay to his potteries and wood to fire the kilns.
2. Awakeri Rail Adventures
Travel along a piece of New Zealand's rich rail history and
experience the natural beauty and adventure from
the comfort of a rail-cart, cleverly adapted to be
self-driven along the rail tracks. Your adventure
starts from Awakeri travelling at a leisurely
20 kilometres per hour with family and
friends along a piece of historic railway
line. There are 4 bridges, numerous
cuttings and bush scenes along the
track. Awakeri Rail Adventures
offers four types of trip, so
there is something for
everyone.
3. The
Glenbrook
Vintage Railway
The Glenbrook Vintage
Railway is built, operated
and maintained by enthusiastic volunteers who freely
donate their time and efforts to ensure the success of
this rewarding and historically significant project. Travel
in style in our First Class Observation - Lounge car
(known as the Parlour Car). With comfortable spacious
seating, refreshments on the move, and a large covered
platform from which to enjoy the countryside, this is a
great way to experience the golden age of rail travel and
close-up steam action.
4. The Glen Afton Line
Train rides run on the first Sunday of every month, April
to December inclusive. A volunteer steam preservation
group provides the public with steam or diesel train rides
in a heritage "bush tramway" style setting on part of the
old Rotowaro to Glen Afton branchline 15 minutes drive
west of Huntly. Grab an Open Day ticket, which covers
all rides on the main train between 10.00am
and 3.00pm. Rides on an old bush "jigger"
are usually available at a small extra cost.
Souvenirs, a sausage sizzle and light
snacks are normally available on
Open Days.
5. Forgotten World
Adventures
Following ancient Maori
pathways and built on
colonial bridle paths formed
late in the 19th century, the
Forgotten World landscape is
remote and mysterious. Explore a
history unique to New Zealand, with
stories and experiences that are truly
unforgettable. Determination, ingenuity
and human spirit across generations
created the story that grew into Forgotten
World Adventures. This isolated landscape and
experience is unique to the history of New Zealand
railway. You can be part of this journey etched deep
with human endeavour and woven with stories that
resonate across generations. Ride the railway lines
that follow pathways forged long ago into the remote
Whangamomona Republic and beyond linking the lands
of the King Country and Taranaki.
Travelling by rail has always been a romantic way to let the world slide past you in comfort. However, some of the
most interesting and intriguing rail tours are not on the main lines - they are private enterprises set up on lines
that were, for one reason or another mothballed or made defunct. Here's a few hidden gems...
Say what... Digital Magazine • Issue 50 • February 2018 • • http://saywhat.nz
PAGE
36
3
1
2
4
5